Caregivers of People with a Mental Illness - with Professor Michael Berk

In this episode we’ll be discussing the issues faced by caregivers of people with a mental illness and how to reduce carer burden, as well as the development of novel therapies with Professor Michael Berk. Michael is the Alfred Deakin Chair of Psychiatry at Deakin University and Barwon Health, where he heads the IMPACT Strategic Research Centre.

(0:49) Why the focus on the role of the caregiver?

(2:05) Issues faced by caregivers

(3:34) Ways that caregivers can look after themselves

(4:43) What are the steps to reduce caregiver burden?

(6:05) What do partners, family and friends of someone with a mental illness want to know?

(8:08) What supports are being developed for caregivers

(10:47) Novel therapies in mental health care

(14:30) Stigma and mental illness

(16:26) Benefits from supporting caregivers

(17:38) IMPACT research centre and work they do

(19:08) Research trials currently being undertaken

Useful Links:

http://www.deakin.edu.au/about-deakin/people/michael-berk

http://www.bipolarcaregivers.org/

http://www.deakin.edu.au/impact

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